Great book store! I have been to Sylva several times but today was my first time checking out the bookstore. Also the bookstore was so much bigger than I thought it was from the outside. They have both a new and previously loved section so there are some great deals for readers on a budget. I did not have a chance to interact with any of the staff but I did overhear them helping so customers and they seem to be very happy to help people find books they will love. I will absolutely be back to get more books... probably tomorrow! read more

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Cute store with a cat that is friendly with pets. There are a wide variety of books that have deals. Was able to find books that I was interested in that I had previously never heard of, including poetry. There were staff recommendations that were in a cohesive vibe allowing me to know if I will enjoy reading a similar book they recommended. read more

Huge variety of books. Always pleasant service. Used and new books. Atmosphere is welcoming .

Great staff. Wonderful selection. Interesting events. A "must hang" location in Sylva!

Nice staff, well-stocked store. There is a variety of merchandise including current popular novels and copies of current literature by North Carolina authors. A separate area of children's literature is equally well-stocked. They often host local authors and the smaller, more intimate venue is a plus for author talks and signings. read more

I went to City Lights Bookstore almost two months ago. It is certainly an excellent bookstore. I found several books relevant for my current research product. However, the staff will helpful or not depending on your race. It was a Saturday morning, and from the moment I arrived there until the moment I went to the cashier a red-haired men in a blue suit followed me all the time. He was constantly checking if I was not stealing anything. There were several other people in the store, but he was looking only at me. I think it is very important to support local business, but I do not recommend this place for black people. White person will be just fine. read more

This is the perfect bookstore! Having worked at a bookstore I know a thing or two about them. Also, I visit any bookstore I can find wherever I travel. I love so many thing about this place. It's located on a corner with adorable signage. The layout is cozy with lots of seating & it's well organized with placement of the categories. There's a great choice of books including local authors, used books, regional topics, magazines, children's books & more. Additionally, there's several cats throughout & lots of beautiful well cared for plants. The staff is friendly & the hours are great. The best part is that it's connected to City Lights Cafe which has coffee, pastries, wine, beer, a great menu serving breakfast, lunch & dinner & a large dining area. Like I said, the perfect bookstore!! read more

City Lights Bookstore - The adjoining City Lights Cafe! - Bookstores Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

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City Lights Bookstore is really cool and inviting. They have a good selection of new books and an easy to browse room full of used books. The most striking feature was the layout and ease of finding genres or titles. It's as easy to browse and walk through as it is to find a favorite author. It's also remarkably clean and charming. read more

I always come here first. Even though i own a Nook (christmas gift) i would rather have a book. The staff here are always friendly. If they dont have it they will get it. The cafe downstairs has some good food & friendly staff. Buy a book, stay for dinner, read & drink coffee. What a great way to spend a couple of hours. read more

I get lost in this store at least once a week, usually on Wednesday when I trade in my used books! Friendly staff and a cat!! What more could you ask for? read more

An update: City Lights Bookstore. Still great, but now with cats. Nothing makes a bookstore more wonderful than a pair of dedicated bookstore cats. read more

What a find. A terrific local bookstore. Great local selections of authors. They know their stuff. Attached to a cafe I want to try next. Got a novel by local hero Ron Rash...in used copy. You'd have thought I had won the lottery they way they told me I was lucky to find it used. read more

Cutest bookstore ever! We came through Sylva mostly to check out this bookstore and It was worth the stop. It has a cafe/coffee shop attached to it. Great cold brew and bonus points for having an area of kids to play in. We also loved the kids section of the bookstore which is its own room! read more

I can't open a newspaper (remember those?) without reading about the death of independent bookstores. The Kindle, the ipad, Barnes and Noble, and wanton ignorance were supposed to have killed the local bookstore. Somehow the folks who own this excellent treasure of a bookstore didn't get the message. City Lights has been selling a great selection of books for quite a while now and we're all the better for it. They've got all of the latest best-sellers, but you can also find a thoughtful selection of fiction, non-fiction, and regional books (yes, I know regional books are either fiction or non-fiction, but you get the point). In addition to selling books, they frequently do signings and readings and serve an integral role in the life of this small community. read more

One of my favorite bookstores on the planet. City lights has a wonderfully curated collection of new and used books. I always find something wonderful to enjoy. I love the cafe downstairs as well. There are few better places to while away the hours with a delicious cup of coffee and a good book. Definitely worth a stop! read more

I love this place! They have a large used book section, the cat is adorable, he is chunky and just hangs out. The atmosphere is calming.

Sylva's independent bookstore provides everything a person could want for both a small, rural, mountain town, and a university community. Their "Regional Room" provides a comfortable, cozy atmosphere for browsing and reading as well as a great place to listen to authors read and discuss publications. They have a very large used book area as well as a great selection of recent and classic books. The fireplace and comfortable seating invite you to stay and read and the staff are always eager to assist. Don't miss this gem of the community! read more

A bright light in Sylva. Nothing is better than an independent bookstore dedicated to providing awesome service while at the same time giving locals and visitors a comfortable place to gather and visit. Entrepeneurs like Chris Wilcox and other self-employed people are the true backbone of our country. read more

Whenever we visit the mountains, I always have to drive into Sylva. It's one of my favorite towns and I love my time there. Among a few choice restaurants, this bookstore is a staple for me. There are cats that wander and a nice used book section. It has a great energy. read more

Along with being one of my favorite bookstores in the entire state, City Lights has now become a magnet for its outstanding cappuccino and a great menu in its cafe. Stopped there for lunch on a recent motorcycle trip in the Smokies, and can't wait to return! read more

Awesome place! They even had a cat wandering around this clean, quiet and helpful bookstore. Down below we were treated to a free crepe that was simply delicious. Nicely decorated and great food and drink! Way to go for the small town bookstore. Will definitely visit again! read more

I like the selection of books offered here. They also have lots of guest authors and poets. It's hard for me to shop here, however, because there is a cat that lives in the store, and they also allow dogs in off the street. I want to support an Indie company, however, it is not worth getting an asthma attack over. I think that pets should stay in the pet shops or at the house. (Furthermore, there's a restaurant downstairs. Cat hair pasta anyone? Gross.) read more

The absolute best bookstore I have ever been to. They have a great selection of new and used books, and if they don't have the book you want, they'll be happy to order it for you free of charge. If you need a novel for class at WCU, order it from City Lights and give them your business! The staff are all extremely friendly, the cats are adorable and laid-back (perfectly alright with being cuddled as you walk around the store), and if you're feeling peckish you can take your book right down the stairs to the City Lights Cafe and eat something delicious while you read. read more

This is one of the best bookstores I've ever been in. They have quite a variety of books and even have a huge used book section that anyone can donate books to. One thing I love about City Lights is that you can turn in books that you don't want anymore and they will in return give you used book credit. I'm a fairly frequent customer so I am always bringing in books that I read and don't care to keep in my personal library. The staff is amazing, always friendly, and if you go there enough they know you by name. There are a few cats they keep as pets that are sweet, they generally are found somewhere curled up and sleeping. Also if they don't have a book that you want on their shelves they will order it for you at no extra cost and don't charge you shipping and handling like other places I have used. I've never had a bad experience with them after all my years of going there (19 to be exact). read more